Martin_d and me,i think CWT is the best charity in Goa . I have known so many people that have worked for El shaddai and left after 2 days. We have spent many a hour talking about El shaddai and it only seems the long stayers and people that live in Goa can see what goes on there.

okitsme it,s like banging my head on a brick wall,never mind ,going to stuff our things in 1 handluggae,so will have 35kg for the kids,of course it will mean i won,t be taking much for myself,i feel a shopping trip coming on over there

Dont want to throw cold water on all these posts that are far too wrapped up with luggage allowances, airlines, excess baggage and the Goan charity.
I to have taken out loads of stuff in my luggage but wouldnt now. Lets face it, most of what people take whilst not exactly rubbish, will be unwanted bits and pieces that you assume will be welcomed by the charity. You stuff it all into your bag, sometimes leaving your own gear behind, worry about excess baggage, rely on the goodness of airlines, burn unwanted fuel, and I cannot emphasise this enough, use a modern jet to take jumble sale tat half way across the world.
Why not just take money? It doesnt take up space and the charity can spend it where their needs lie. Sure, you dont get that warm cuddley feeling when you see some urchin running around in your kids now too small T-shirts, or the feeling that you are missing out the middle man and giving direct to a child.
BUT, money to maintain the orphanage or buy food might just be the priority and not ASDA felt tips.

Lester I can asure you that we are not taking Tack or second hand clothes for CWT.We have bought new from local supermarkets and will still be in the wrappers for Rob to see.I think some people will be quite offended by what you have said.
Oh and by the way we won't be taking felt pens as the kids like my grandkids will probably leave the tops off and they'll dry up or they will leak onto there clothes
. We 're taking a few Wilkinsons pens and pencil all unused

While I would quite happily give CWT money rather than donations, there is no way I would part with my cash for El Shaddai...

Lester...

Can I just say that our supporters are SO very generous and many go to the trouble of looking on our website for what's needed ( http://www.ChildrenWalkingTall.com/Charity-Luggage.htm ) and often items are new or nearly new. Quite often they get in touch with companies who kindly donate items. The airlines are also very good, unfortunately monarch aren't giving charity allowance any more but when they did they were very prompt and generous. Thomas Cook, Thompson Fly and First Choice also help when they can.

Obviously money is always welcome as we do need to buy food, provisions and the more mudane items like rent, petrol etc but many people prefer to see the money spent and items given and we are happy with either. The luggage we receive is always used and helps us to support presents for the children (we gave out over 1000 last Christmas - nearly all donated items), provide children with clothes and items to keep them clean and healthy. I have to say vitamins are always welcome (children sweet type, bassetts are probably the best), the indian vitamins are just big capsules - you try giving 150 children those!!!!

Travis towers
Hi.. Thank you! and I completely agree with felt pens, they are always a little touch and go... we do provide all the school children with a pack each year (this year 180 children), but they do run out quickly and sometimes as we collect them for the new school term (in June), some cheaper ones are often dry before we give them out! We usually just buy these before the start of term.

Martin_d - Thanks

i must say that i am offended by the comments made.but we are all entitled to our opinion,my husband and my self suport a child in goa all year round,not just when we are on holiday,this will be the 1st time that we actually meet her,although we get regular letters from her,when we go there in november we will be taking a gift for her but lots of stuff for all the children,we also do not buy charity shop stuff,,it is all new,we have also been given new items from family and friends along with tioletries and games,etc.you really shouldn,t assume that all people are the same lester and if your that bothered about fuel then maybe you should stay at home.

hello Valleylady and other disgruntled readers I have upset.
I hope you noticed that I fully supported the idea of giving to the charity in question. Since the mid nineties, I have on several occasions visited the orphanages in Goa, given them money, and also supported the scholarships given to clever but poor students in local schools to attend college in Panjim and overseas. I was simply questioning the economic sense of carrying lots of stuff half way across the world. Someone in a post above said that they paid a lot once in excess baggage fees to take their contribution. Would it make more sense to take all this cash instead and give that to the orpanage. Yes, someone above posted that there are items that they would like brought in from the UK such as vitamins, so there is always a chance to cram your bags with goodies.
However, most international charities ( and I agree with some that these organisations are not perfect themselves) now like funds to be given to them direct rather than spread around locally once you arrive. This allows the donation of funds to where it is needed rather than to some wide eyed smiling child in an orpanage in Goa. Goan orphanages are basically the 5 star establishments of the orphanage world; imagine what one might look like a couple of hundred miles inland.
One trouble is that the simple donation of money in an envelope means that the giver misses out on the emotional comfort they personally get when they see their gifts opened by a gang of happy children. The orphanages are pretty shameless about exploiting this warm feeling. It is no accident that they always take their children for their afternoon swim to the most crowded section of Candolim beach and set up tables and chairs to process interested tourists. Nothing wrong with this either.
All I am saying is that with a cold and careful look at the whole process of giving, it might make sense to maximise the clout your willingly given money and time might have.

Not everyone can afford to give money away, it takes a lot of hard work to save up for our holidays inthe first place and what my sister and I take out personally is given to us by the companies we work for. I think this subject is very personal and it is best left to drop.

In what ever way people wish to donate, be it clothes, money, toys etc, as long as the children benefit from our help, surely that is what we would all want to happen!
Just would also like to mention that International Animal Rescue do excellent work in Goa and they too welcome any donations!!

The ARC has come a very long way since we first visited and they do a lot of fine work. My donations go to them and to a locally run orphanage in Tivim. This season it will be CWT and ARC as we have been impressed by what we have learned about this organisation. I don't deal with the "other one", did so a couple of times and was NOT impressed, (I am a long termer). Fizz

i take your piont lester,but we all do what we can in which ever way we can.keep up the good work guys and gals

International Animal Rescue

is there anything in particular that they would welcome being donated?

For some reason i seem to remember Animal Rescue wanted old newspapers. I Used to go up there and walk the dogs and when i go to stroke them all of them would flinch .Poor things.

We usually get stainless steel bowls from Mapusa market for them and give a cash donation.
Our local vet was telling me that he has taken out unwanted drugs from his practice to give to them.

A friend of mine has access to bandages and anticeptic powders etc, her daughter works in an animal sanctuary so she brings stuff home for us to take. Anything thats light weight that we can get in our cases, we take out for them. We also save all our "coppers" throughout the year, change it up to notes before going and wait for the exchange rate to increase before changing to rupees, then donate that amount too. Breaks my heart every time we go there, specially the cats Fizz

just been in touch with our agent to find out how much it costs to take out 20kg instead of the 15 kg allowance,,,,here,s the reply. £35 per person for 5kg extra plus £10 per person addmin fee..i think theyv,e been on the honeybee